Mumbai: The Maharashtra government on October 5 declined to stall staging of the controversial play “Agnes of God.”
State Minority Minister Eknath Khadse, who met the play’s director and the church forum representative, ruled out banning the play since it has a certification. However, the minister agreed to videographer the play to check if it has is anything that hurts religious sentiments.
The play centers around a nun who delivers a still-born child.
Some Church groups had demanded its ban on the ground that it hurts the Christian community’s sentiments.
The play was staged at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) October 5 night.
Joseph Dias, Secretary General of Catholic Secular Forum (CSF) and play director Kaizad Kotwal met Khadse this morning.
Dias had earlier written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking ban on the play but clarified that his outfit would not resort to any open demonstration before the theater to stall the staging.
Ruling out the government intervention, Khadse said the play will be videographed to see if it has anything that wounds religious sentiments.
“If any portion is objectionable, appropriate decision will be taken after consultation with both sides,” he said.
Khadse also said the CSF is free to move the High Court seeking a ban on the play, an adaptation of American playwright John Pielmeier’s drama.
According to Khadse, both sides were satisfied after the talks.
Catholic Secular Forum (CSF) has lodged a protest against ‘Agnes of God’ but said it would not obstruct its performance, ptinews.com reported.
“There is no question of halting that performance as it is an invitation only event at NCPA,” Dias had said.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) has also written to federal Home Ministry seeking a ban on the play holding that it was “misrepresentation of the religious belief of the Christian community.”
“The reason why the Catholic Church is against such a play is that it is the wrongful portrayal of the character of lakhs of our clergy, who are committed to a life of celibacy,” the CBCI letter said.